KILEY & JOHNATHAN

Cha Bella Wedding

Savannah, Georgia

Kylie Lee and Johnathan Forehand’s eventual marriage was a long time coming. “We have known each other for years as our families are friends,” says Kylie. While Johnathan was a bit older, his younger brother and Kylie were the same age and were good friends growing up. “It’s funny because I actually used to go over to their house for play dates with his younger brother Shane,” remembers Kylie. Once the two reconnected as adults, they knew it was meant to be. Eight years later, after Johnathan popped the question while on vacation in the Florida panhandle, they began planning their #whydidntwedothisbeforehand celebration!

With a background in the wedding industry, Kylie had a clear concept for her quaint September wedding at Cha Bella. The local farm-to-table restaurant fit the bill for the relaxed evening she envisioned. She loved the intimate courtyard — ideal for their outdoor ceremony — and turned to her friends at Ivory + Beau to create a romantic Fall celebration with a soft neutral color palette. The result was a personalized fall evening for 65 guests, highlighted by greenery accents, cotton details, and lush blooms.

Though she had envisioned something else entirely, it was a two-piece Martina Liana gown from BleuBelle Bridal that caught Kylie’s attention. The top was a long-sleeved, full lace bodysuit that she paired with a hemmed tulle skirt in a shade of stone for the ultimate princess moment. Hesitant to hand over the hair and makeup reigns to someone else, Mariah Williamson of Pampered & Pretty instantly put Kylie at ease on the day of her wedding. “I felt so good about her abilities,” remembers Kylie, “I told her to do whatever she felt would coordinate best with my dress.” The winning formula was an airbrush foundation with a natural eye and lips and an oomph-ed up low bun for an extra hint of glam. “It was absolute perfection and surpassed my every expectation,” says Kylie. Her bouquet accentuated the femininity of her gown with lush blooms in shades of white, peach and blush, all surrounded by greenery. For an added Southern touch, the couple accented the bridal party’s bouquets and boutonnières with cotton Johnathan had planted and harvested from his cotton farm. Kylie met her groom, dressed in a slate blue suit and pale pink bow tie, for a much-anticipated first look where the two exchanged hugs and happy tears in an intimate moment not soon forgotten.

Her bouquet accentuated the femininity of her gown with lush blooms in shades of white, peach and blush, all surrounded by greenery. For an added Southern touch, the couple accented the bridal party’s bouquets and boutonnières with cotton Johnathan had planted and harvested from his cotton farm. Kylie met her groom, dressed in a slate blue suit and pale pink bow tie, for a much-anticipated first look where the two exchanged hugs and happy tears in an intimate moment not soon forgotten.

Candles lined the aisle as guests were ushered into the courtyard for the ceremony where an asymmetrical garland of greenery marked the altar. The heartfelt event began with an instrumental version of “Say You Won’t Let Go,” by James Arthur as Kylie’s bridesmaids, dressed in wedding cake chiffon Show Me Your Mumu dresses, proceeded down the aisle. After their first kiss as husband & wife, the newlyweds snuck off for some private portraits in the square while their guests enjoyed a cocktail hour menu of miniature crab tarts, chicken & waffles, and fried green tomatoes. Vintage lounge furniture gave guests a cozy place to relax while they snacked on appetizers and indulged in a full bourbon and cigar bar. Tables were covered with soft ivory linens and lined with runners of greenery and, for a romantic glow, taper candles in varying heights were placed down the center of the table. Guests dined on a Lowcountry-inspired menu featuring an extensive biscuit bar with brisket, pulled pork and a variety of jellies before the couple cut into their stunning five-tiered custom cake from Vanilla and the Bean with intricate ruffle and marble detailing. As the evening came to a close, guests made one last stop at the pie bar where they packed their to-go boxes to the brim with pralines, cheese straws, and assorted miniature pies before waving goodbye to Mr. & Mrs. Forehand.

Vintage lounge furniture gave guests a cozy place to relax while they snacked on appetizers and indulged in a full bourbon and cigar bar. Tables were covered with soft ivory linens and lined with runners of greenery and, for a romantic glow, taper candles in varying heights were placed down the center of the table. Guests dined on a Lowcountry-inspired menu featuring an extensive biscuit bar with brisket, pulled pork and a variety of jellies before the couple cut into their stunning five-tiered custom cake from Vanilla and the Bean with intricate ruffle and marble detailing. As the evening came to a close, guests made one last stop at the pie bar where they packed their to-go boxes to the brim with pralines, cheese straws, and assorted miniature pies before waving goodbye to Mr. & Mrs. Forehand.